This handbook is a privately published summary of Jan's early talks, including drawings of his initial maps, illustrations, and glossary definitions, as compiled by his original group in Atlanta, from 1981 to 1984. This is a companion piece to Storming the Gates; together these two volumes were intended and used as an introduction to Jan's maps and methods.
About the Author: Jan Cox (1937-2005) was a Teacher, in the mystical sense of the word, as well as an author, artist and musician whose intriguing maps of consciousness contribute to the current understanding of the mind and its unrecognized influences. His insight into psychology, mysticism and neuroscience will be apparent to those who read and consider his thought-provoking books. Jan's works are a demonstration of what is possible and are not just intellectual exercises. "As I see it, the problem with fighting to change the way your consciousness works is that it immediately offers to join in and help you." Jan Cox Jan taught worldwide for 37 years and during that time wrote six books and tens of thousands of "News Items" (short, pithy observations on the habitual mind). He recorded 3,300 hours of talks on both audio and video (some of which were broadcast during the longest running public access show in the U.S., in up to 47 cities), and he created thousands of contour drawings and cartoons. He also started the first new law school in Georgia in 80 years and even ran for Governor - just to tweak the powers that be. - Jan pointed out that "Life is alive" and is smarter than any of us. In fact, Life is doing just fine and is evolving itself - just not quite fast enough for those with a certain hunger to evolve within their own lifetime. - Jan observed the then-current mystical scene (circa 1976), and while the Beatniks had adored Zen in the Fifties, it seemed that Gurdjieff had managed to bring to the West a flavor of "The Work" that resonated with the times. Thus, in Dialogues of Gurdjieff: An Allegorical Work Adventure, Jan used the character of an American expatriate in Paris, and Jan's 'version' of Gurdjieff, in an allegory that focused on Work ideas and how they might be applied to contemporary life. - Jan instructed his students to produce two compilations of his core teachings, The Gates of Man and Storming the Gates, in order to help new listeners get started and enhance their ability to follow his later talks. Together, these two handbooks provide an introduction to Jan's Work System, as well as insights into lessons learned in a contemporary Work environment from the point of view of the participants. Visit www.jancox.com.